NIST Axes Absurd Rules: Service Dogs Get VIP Pass at Labs
Published Date: 8/21/2026
Rule
Summary
By this rule, NIST amends its regulations governing traffic and conduct at its sites in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado. This rule amends those regulations by removing excessive and redundant restrictions on personal conduct, updating or removing sections with outdated references or requirements, and broadening an exception regarding the use of service dogs. This action is necessary to ensure that NIST's regulations conform to the scope of the underlying statutory authorities and to reduce regulatory complexity, redundancy, and burden. This action is intended to promote statutory conformity, administrative efficiency, and accessibility for people with disabilities, without imposing any new obligations or costs on the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Broader Exception for Service Dogs
NIST changed its animal rule so that persons with disabilities may use appropriate service dogs on NIST sites. This replaces the prior limited exception for only "seeing eye dogs" and blind persons in Sec. 265.43.
Removed Several On‑Site Conduct Rules
NIST removed or reserved several conduct rules that had only a weak link to preserving property, including Secs. 265.4, 265.36–265.38, 265.40–265.41, and revised 265.35. Those sections covered items like false statements, intoxicating beverages, drugs, impairment, discrimination, and gambling as codified in part 265.
Parking Permits No Longer Required
NIST removed Sec. 265.17 and stated it no longer requires parking permits on site. This change applies to NIST sites in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado.
Removed Outdated References and Criminal Penalty
The rule updates references (replacing 40 U.S.C. 318 with 40 U.S.C. 1315) and removes Sec. 265.51, which contained an outdated regulatory criminal penalty. These edits are intended to make part 265 current and reduce redundancy.
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